Accessing utility data for benchmarking
Energy benchmarking is a critical first step for commercial and multifamily building owners and managers seeking to improve the performance of their buildings and reduce costs for occupants. However, for owners and managers of multitenant buildings, this data is often not available because the owner doesn’t have insight into tenant energy use. The good news is that more and more utilities are stepping up to help by making aggregate whole-building data readily available, and by enabling customers to have their data sent automatically into their Portfolio Manager account via direct web connections. See below for four key resources to aid in accessing whole-building utility data:
- Backgrounder: Multitenant Buildings and Federal Incentives: This 3-page fact sheet explains the importance of whole-building data to building owners (with a focus on federal funding opportunities requiring this data), as well as the solutions available to utilities to provide the data.
- Model Law for Statewide Utility Data Access: This model law includes language that would require utilities to make whole-building data available to building owners on request, and includes language aimed at protecting privacy of building occupants and addressing the costs to utilities to provide this information. It was created by the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) and the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), with EPA providing technical input.
- Guidance for Utilities on Providing Whole-Building Data: This 12-page documents summarizes best practices for utilities that want to provide customers with energy consumption data for benchmarking in ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. The recommendations will help maximize the customer experience, streamline the process for the utility, and improve data accuracy.
- Interactive Utility Data Access Map (below): This interactive map shows the service territories of the utilities providing customers with energy benchmarking data. Enter a zip code or click on the map to see if a utility provides their customers with access to the data needed to benchmark in Portfolio Manager.
Other Resources
Looking for Benchmarking and Building Performance Policies by Zip Code?
Visit IMT’s website for the latest map.
Is a Utility Missing?
This map is being updated regularly, as additional utilities develop data access solutions for their commercial customers. If you are aware of other utilities that should be included on the map, or if you have questions about ENERGY STAR or Portfolio Manager, please contact us via the “Ask a Question” link at https://energystar.my.site.com/PortfolioManager/s/.
Add This Map to Your Site
EPA encourages interested third parties to host this map on their own websites to help get the word out to more building owners and operators. Use the code below to embed this map on your site.
Download a PDF listing
Instead of using this map, you can download a list of Utilities Providing Energy Data for Benchmarking in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
Download This Map’s Zip Code-Based Dataset
Download the entire zip-code-based dataset behind this map, which maps each U.S. zip code to its utility.